Attorneys trying to seat a jury in George Zimmerman's trial for shooting an unarmed teen stopped questioning a man in his 20s Wednesday after he gave answers that indicated he would not be impartial during the proceedings, the Associated Press reported. The juror, known as "R-39," argued that "murder is murder," even if it's self-defense.
Zimmerman has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder charges, claiming that he shot, and ultimately killed, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin last February in self-defense. "R-39," left the Sanford Florida courtroom without defense attorneys asking questions. Attorneys had interviewed 18 potential jurors by lunch break Wednesday on the third day of selection. By the end of the day Tuesday, more than 70 jury candidates had been dismissed, reporters said.
In the jury selection process established by Circuit Judge Debra Nelson, once 30 jurors have been questioned individually about pretrial exposure and have not been dismissed for cause or hardships, they will be brought together as a group for broader questioning by lawyers on both sides, the AP said. Nelson has said she will keep the identities of the selected jurors anonymous but she rejected a defense request to sequester the initial jury pool of 500 residents.
Attorneys, which believe the jury process will last a week, still must find six jurors and four alternates in the case. But, Florida law stipulates that 12 jurors are required only for criminal trials involving capital cases, when the death penalty is being considered.
Jury candidates who move on from the initial round of questioning about their knowledge of the case, face other rounds of interviews with the attorneys.
